Past In Review for Sept. 13

By JACK R. WEBER Jr.

Friday

Sep 13, 2019 at 12:01 AM

100 Years Ago (1919)

— Alliance was in gala attire as it held a homecoming for returned soldiers of the World War. It was estimated that 500 to 600 soldiers in uniform — from the Civil War, the Spanish-American War and the World War — were part of a parade and many more who were out of uniform were present, but declined to march. The parade paused in front of home of the late Col. Charles C. Weybrecht to pay respect. A key to the city was accepted on behalf of the returned soldiers by Capt. Walter W. Scott, chief marshal in place of Lt. Fred Kochli, who was unable to attend while recovering from wounds at Water Reed Hospital. In remarks, Mount Union President W.H. McMaster read a poem titled "The Returned Soldier’s Request," which was written by Alliance resident Thomas Jarman. Twenty-nine area soldiers who gave their lives were honored as were eight Red Cross nurses who were showered with flowers. A meat loaf dinner was given at the Mount Union athletic field and the City and GAR bands played several selections.

— After it had been thought that there was no hope of recovery for Martha Gulling, one of the teachers severely injured when lightning struck the Maximo schoolhouse, it was now believed that she would ultimately recover though her recovery would be slow. It was also reported that Alice Brogan, the other teacher struck, was without suffering but was in a weakened state and far from recovery. Pupil Caroline Werstler was also said to be out of danger.

— J.W. Gaskill, a resident of Ramsey Court, was pleasantly surprised when he was reunited with comrades from his Civil War regiment while attending the GAR encampment at Columbus. Gaskill and former Marlboro Township resident Fred Werner, who had moved to Edgar, Nebraska, were sitting under a tree when John Jackman, of Sciotoville, approached and stated that he was looking for members of Company B of the 104th Ohio, of which Gaskill and Werner were members. The men had not seen each other for 54 years.

75 Years Ago (1944)

— Joseph Gorak, a resident of the 700 block of North Park Avenue, received bad news from the war front for the second time in a span of nine months. In January, Gorak had learned that a son, Marine Sgt. Ignatius Gorak, had heroically lost his life while fighting on Bougainville in the South Pacific, receiving the Silver Star posthumously. Now, he had received word that a second son, Theodore Gorak, a flying officer with the Royal Canadian Air Force, had been missing in action over Stettin, Germany, since Aug. 30. Theodore Gorak had lived in Canada since the age of 8 with an uncle, Martin Sobola, his mother being deceased.

— Ensign John Tabla, an Alliance High and Mount Union grad, received a commendation for his service during the D-Day invasion.

— Staff Sgt. LaVerne Burger, an Alliance High grad serving as an A-20 Havoc tunnel gunner in Europe, had received a fifth oak leaf cluster to his Air Medal.

— Lt. James E. Wilson, an Alliance High grad who attended Mount Union, had received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service as a pilot of a B-24 bomber. It was bestowed on him by the famed Lt. Gen. James Doolittle.